Premier League: United with tough start against Swansea, Arsenal with early London derby!

The fixtures for the 2013 / 14 Barclays Premier League campaign have been announced with the season kicking off on the 17th of August, David Moyes has a tough start to his tenure at Champions Manchester United, as they travel to Wales to play a Swansea City side who were the surprise package of last season under the tutelage of Michael Laudrup.

After the game against the Swans, Manchester United then welcome Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea to Old Trafford on the 24th August, in what should be one of the games of the season. The Red Devils then travel to Anfield to play Liverpool, so it is a difficult beginning for the former Everton manager.

Manchester City have replaced Roberto Mancini following last season’s performance so new manager Manuel Pellegrini will want to hit the ground running, and they start by welcoming Newcastle United to the Etihad Stadium. Manchester City’s next two fixtures are against two newly promoted sides, with a trip to Cardiff City on the 24th of August and then a home game against Hull City a week later.

The first Manchester Derby is on match day five on the 21st of September at the Etihad Stadium, with the return in early March 2014.

Jose Mourinho starts his second term as Chelsea manager with a home game against newly promoted Hull City before the trip to Old Trafford. Thirdly, Chelsea welcome Aston Villa to Stamford Bridge whilst fitting in the UEFA Super Cup Final against Bayern Munich.

Elsewhere Roberto Martinez has a tricky start to his reign at Everton with a trip to Norwich City on day one, and then a home game against West Bromwich Albion on August the 24th followed by an away game at Cardiff City a week later.

Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal welcome Aston Villa to the Emirates Stadium for their first game of the season, with an away game at Fulham next, before an eagerly anticipated North London Derby against bitter rivals Tottenham Hotspur at home. Tottenham Hotspur’s campaign starts at Crystal Palace before their first home game against Swansea City, followed by their trip to the Emirates on the 31st of August.

Other fixtures on the opening day are West Ham United at home to Cardiff City, Liverpool hosting Stoke City, Sunderland at home to Fulham, and West Bromwich Albion playing Southampton at the Hawthorns.